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After taking batting practice in an indoor cage and throwing on a field, he started to drive out of the parking lot about 90 minutes later. He stopped to sign photographs, baseballs and other memorabilia for the first dozen people or so who had waited in line.

The shortstop figures to be the recipient of an ever-heightened level of adulation during the next 7½ months as he circumnavigates the majors in a farewell tour that could be called Pinstriped Parting 2 after Mariano Rivera's exit last year.

Asked if he felt good about the decision to retire that he announced Wednesday, Jeter responded: "I do."

But he didn't want to get into an extended discussion. New York opens spring training today, and position players report next week, when Jeter likely will to hold a news conference about his decision.

"It's easier that way," he said.

Jeter, 39, took the Yankees by surprise with his Wednesday morning telephone call to owner Hal Steinbrenner. By Wednesday night the Yankees had sent out an email with links to Jeter merchandise gear and ticket information. They announced Thursday that general individual ticket sales will start Feb. 24, up from March 5 last year.

StubHub's lowest price for the Yankees' regular-season home finale Sept. 25 was $307.50 for a single upper-deck seat, and its highest was $66,432.90 for a pair in the bleachers.

More Yankees: Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka breezed through a 25-pitch bullpen session with catcher Francisco Cervelli at the minor-league complex. "I could see his face. Looks like he wants to have fun," said Cervelli, who caught two- and four-seam fastballs, splitters and sliders. "I think his mechanics are so smooth."

Dodgers: Rightfielder Yasiel Puig is on a limited throwing program as a precaution because of inflammation in his right shoulder.

Mariners: Former Rays closer Fernando Rodney officially signed the two-year, $14 million deal he agreed to last week. Both sides waited on a physical. Also, centerfielder Franklin Gutierrez will sit out the season because of a relapse of the gastrointestinal problem that limited him last year.

Phillies: Reliever Chad Gaudin, who signed a minor-league deal last month, was released after failing a physical. Details weren't disclosed, but last season, the former Ray missed time with carpal tunnel syndrome that required surgery.